Israeli police prevented the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custos of the Holy Land from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday.
Israeli Police Block Access to Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Israeli police prevented Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Custos of the Holy Land Father Francesco Ielpo from attending Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, according to the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
The Latin Patriarchate stated that police stopped the Cardinal and Father Ielpo as they walked privately, without any procession or ceremony, and turned them back.
International Reactions to the Incident
The situation drew reactions from several European politicians. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with the Patriarch and Custos, both Italian citizens. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the Israeli police’s decision, emphasizing the need for religious freedom in Jerusalem. Polish President Karol Nawrocki also expressed “firm opposition” to the denial of Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Israeli Authorities Cite Security Concerns
Israeli authorities justified the police’s decision based on security concerns. President Isaac Herzog stated he spoke with Cardinal Pizzaballa to express “great sadness” over the “unfortunate incident” in Jerusalem.
Herzog explained that the clergy were prevented from entering the Church due to security considerations and the current regional situation, citing ongoing threats of rocket attacks from the Iranian regime against Israeli civilians. He added that Iranian missiles had fallen in the Old City of Jerusalem in recent days and reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to religious freedom and the status quo in Jerusalem’s holy sites.
Netanyahu Echoes Security Justification
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Herzog’s explanation, stating that police had no “bad intentions” and that preventing access to the shrine was due to “special concern for security” of the Cardinal.
Netanyahu’s office stated that in recent days, Iran had repeatedly attacked holy sites of all three monotheistic religions in Jerusalem with ballistic missiles, with debris from one attack falling meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The office also announced preparations for a plan to allow Christian leaders to hold services at the shrine.
Israel Bans Large Gatherings
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee thanked Herzog for his “reconciliatory and courteous” stance. Huckabee described the incident as an “unfortunate overreach” with serious global repercussions, noting that Israeli authorities had banned gatherings of more than 50 people, despite this involving only a few Church representatives.
Huckabee stated it was difficult to understand or justify preventing the Patriarch from entering the church for a private Palm Sunday ceremony and that Israel had pledged to work with the Patriarch to ensure a safe way to conduct Holy Week celebrations.
Ambassador Huckabee’s Remarks on a “Greater Israel”
Last month, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sparked controversy, particularly in Arab countries, by stating that Israel has a “biblical right” to take control of the area described in Genesis from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates River.
The nationalist concept of a “Greater Israel” in its most radical form envisions the annexation of all Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon, large parts of Syria, Iraq, and Kuwait, as well as portions of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. Huckabee stated, “It would be okay if they took everything,” adding that “Israel is the land God gave through Abraham to his chosen people.”
